At 80, Norberg still plays an active role

“I’ve enjoyed everything. It’s important to have a positive outlook,” said Norberg. And in the same breath he lamented, “This country has lost its way.”

Alyce Nicolo

“I’ve enjoyed everything. It’s important to have a positive outlook,” said Norberg. And in the same breath he lamented, “This country has lost its way.”

Therein lies the challenge in understanding Norberg’s long and eventful life. From working summers on a farm during the war years and living through the Great Depression to traveling the world with the Army to jumpstarting the Roslindale business district, he has faced a lot and now, as he approaches 80 years old, he isn’t ready to stop.

Sitting in a corner table at the Blue Star Cafe in Roslindale Square Norberg offered a wave or a personalized hello to most who walked through the door. He knows everyone.

To get a sense of Norberg, one can read his tireless resume. Served in the Army during the Korean War, Member of Kiwanis, President of the Roslindale Board of Trade, 20 years on the board for The Cooperative Bank, owner of Charl Marc Kitchens in the square for decades, volunteer at the German Center.

But it is the smaller accomplishments during his life and career that show Norberg’s true character and impact.

He’s not afraid to tick off the city and he hates when things get too politicized. He is just as proud of quitting smoking cold turkey as he is of helping to put the Board of Trade and the square on the right track.

“When I came here, drugs were sold openly on the street, there were grates on most of the stores on Corinth and Poplar Street,” he recalled.

When the big malls started opening, Roslindale’s business district suffered tremendously.

“Customers were as scarce as a Yankees fan at Fenway Park,” said Norberg. But it wasn’t for a lack of good businesspeople.

“They were all mom and pop businesses,” he noted, “What they didn’t have was money. But what they did have was a strong work ethic.”

Sitting in the Blue Star, Norberg remembered a mini-revolution on the Board of Trade in the last 70’s.

“The same guy was president year after year, it was moribund,” he said about the BOT. “Right here in this restaurant we decided to take back the Board of Trade, we secretly got together...voted ourselves in,” he recalled with a smile.

“Clearly, the Board of Trade had a lot of work to do and we wasted no time.”

They communicated with local police and the city, making sure trouble spots were taken care of and the streets were safe—a prerequisite for a thriving business district.

“I’ve seen Roslindale grow from a failed neighborhood business area to the success you see today.”

But, like most people who have a great impact, Norberg is also modest about his contributions.

“I don’t delude myself into believing it was all me,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to be blessed with good health and a desire to make changes for the betterment of the community.”

Norberg was the first businessperson Judie Leon met when she came to work in Roslindale in 1977.

“That’s when everything started happening,” she recalled. What strikes Leon most about Norberg is his support of others, especially women.

“He’s very supportive of anybody who’s interested in being active in the community. If there’s a way he can do it, he will assist you,” said Leon. “He makes it possible, he enables. I’ve seen so many people he’s helped.”

Norberg introduced Leon as the first woman in Kiwanis and since then, she said, “There wasn’t a female President in the past ten years that he wasn’t responsible for putting there.”

She quoted her dear friend as saying, “Read the handwriting on the wall. The women are the ones who get things done.”

“Men are afraid of women, smart women, getting ahead,” said Norberg, “but I’ve never had that problem.”

So it is not surprising that his mother played an important role in his life.

“My mother was a very strong woman and I grew up in a matriarchal household,” he said, recalling fondly how his late mother supported four kids through the depression and just as bravely battled breast cancer.

“My one saving grace was my parents. They were uneducated but very smart. In our house there were moral values and we were constantly made aware of that,” said Norberg as he reflected on the decline of today’s youth.

As the television behind him reported coverage of the war in Iraq and the shootings at Virginia Tech, he took a more serious tone.

“During the War years Americans came together to win the war and to make this the greatest country in the world. Since then, we’ve gone astray.”

But, making sure to end on a more proactive and positive note, Norberg added, “If we want a nice town to live in with a strong business community and responsive politicians, it requires an effort from all of us.”

“If you want something, you've got to put out some effort.”

Grabbing his umbrella and baseball cap Norberg’s off to continue his busy day. Volunteering at noon, Book Club later tonight at the condo to discuss, appropriately, “Queen of the Desert,” the story of a pioneering, strong woman, and then maybe a repair or two later on.

“I’ve fixed things all my life, so whenever the super needs tools, he comes to me,” said Norberg. “Keeps you young.”

Roasting Bob

The Roslindale Board of Trade is holding a Roast of Bob Norberg on May 10th at the Sons of Italy Hall at 30 Birch St. Tickets are $25. For more information call the Board of Trade at 617-469-6260.

City Services

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Roslindale Transcript ~ 254 Second Ave., Needham, Massachusetts 02494 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service